Flat 13 Records Celebrates Record Store Day

by Ashley Chalmers

Flat 13 Records, a newborn record store in Bournemouth, celebrated the first UK International Record Store Dayon Saturday, 20th April. Opening shop at 8.30am they were ready and raring to go, awaiting the masses that would be flocking to their store in order to support the local independent business. Sam Holland, who works at the store says: ‘We just did our best to stock what people were asking for. There was some live music in the afternoon, but it’s all about trying to feed the masses in the morning.’

Record Store Day was first set up in the USA in 2007, when 700 independent record stores united together in celebrating the unique culture and love for vinyl. It is tradition in the US, that artists support their nearest record store by playing a live performance in the shop, and this trend has made it’s way across the pond to Blighty. Local up and coming artist, Carys Lowry-Carter, played a set in Flat 13 on the afternoon of RSD to follow the tradition.

Record Store Day can only mean good things for business, although it may seem a little ‘Gimmicky.’ Sam says: ‘There is no doubt that it has done wonders for us. We are now able to nearly double our new vinyl stock.’ Not only is it good for an independent business, but it’s good for customers and vinyl collectors alike, ‘It gives the collectors something to look forward to, and it gives little shops like ours a timely boost, after February and March. If seeming a little gimmicky is the price to pay, then let it be so.’

Vinyl recordshave been one of the most revolutionary inventions in the whole of music history. Putting the needle on careers and amplifying talent, it is no wonder there is an ever growing passion for Vinyl, and the collection is never-ending in Flat 13, ‘We sell a mixed bag of new and second hand (vintage) vinyl, with equal success I’d say. We don’t really count the natty second hand.’

A triumph for Flat 13 Records, RSD attracted a wealth of custom to their shop on St. Michael’s Road, ‘The day exceeded all expectations. There was maybe a queue of 30 people outside when we opened, so we made up some coffees and teas. Apparently the first of them arrived at 6am, so they deserved a brew.’